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My fascination with frequency, crystals, essential oils and how it affects the human body has been a bit of an obsession of mine lately; which is kinda weird because science has never been my jam, but I find this topic quite captivating!

Every object on this planet, animate or inanimate, has an electrical frequency that can be measured accurately. Electrical frequency is measured by counting the number of occurrences of a repeating current flow per second. As humans we have a multitude of frequencies going on in our bodies. In fact, each of our organs has an optimal frequency range. There are many things that can lower healthy body frequency. For example, pollutants, processed foods, stress, and even negative thoughts will lower our frequency. Lower your frequency enough, disease sets in. So obviously we want to do whatever we can to keep our bodies resonating optimally!

This led me to explore more deeply how we could use both crystals and essential oils to our advantage. First let’s look at crystals. They possess the most orderly structure that exists in nature. Composed of atoms that are linked together in perfect symmetry, crystals respond to the inputs of different energies around them which lead them to oscillate and emit various vibratory frequencies. But because their structure is so orderly, the energy emitted is extremely stable. This means that even when negative energy is inputted, it can be transformed into harmonic energy.

To understand how this works to raise human frequency, we need to understand the law of entrainment. A new physics principle called entrainment was discovered in 1665 by a Dutch Physicist and Scientist named Christian Huygens when he placed two pendulum clocks on a wall near each other but swung the pendulums at different rates. Guess what? Eventually they swung into rhythm with each other, completely in sync. Since that time, this concept has been thoroughly researched and accepted by the scientific community. But here’s the thing, it was determined that the weaker of the two oscillating bodies will adjust to the stronger one’s vibration. To me, that’s a big deal! This makes crystals incredibly adept at bringing us back into a vibrational state of health and harmony because, unlike us, their frequency is so stable. There are so many great books that can give insight as to how to choose your crystals and how to use them. My favorite book is The Book of Stones by Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian.

When we take this concept of resonance and apply it to essential oils, we give our body an additional turbo charge. Pure essential oils have the highest frequency of any measured natural substance, even higher than the plants they came from! Also take into account that each drop of essential oil is capable of providing 40,000 molecules of high vibration frequency to every cell in our body! This happens fast too, because their molecules are so tiny that they pass through our skin, into our blood and internal organs within a matter of minutes. Just like crystals, each essential oil has a different resonance that will interact differently within our body and harmonize with different cells and body systems to bring us back to optimal frequency.

Learning to use crystals and essential oils in tandem can help amplify the correct frequency to our cells that require balancing through the law of entrainment, bringing us back to our natural state of health and harmony. Now if they had taught me that in High School I probably would have paid more attention!!

Have you noticed lately that you’re feeling a bit amped up? Have you experienced lately that people on the road are driving more haphazardly than usual? Right around the time of our last full moon, August 7th, I began to notice an inordinate amount of people cutting me off on the road or literally sitting between two lanes in indecisiveness. It was crazy weird. So much so that I mentioned it to my daughter who commented that she was observing the same thing. It just seemed like the energy around me, as well as my own, was different – heightened. Remembering that there is an upcoming solar eclipse, I decided to do a little research to see if I could connect some dots.

As it turns out, solar eclipses have a very potent influence on our emotions. This influence can be felt not only on the day of the event, but from the time of the full moon, (August 7th) up through a few days after the event. Eclipses affect the earth’s electromagnetic field, which in turn affects everything on earth, including us. Our electromagnetic field shifts, which allows our energy to resonate with the new frequency that is incoming from the universe. This provides a wonderful opportunity for inner transformation, but also comes with moments of turbulence and unsettling emotions. In fact Tibetan Buddhists believe that the effect of both positive and negative actions during the time of an eclipse is multiplied by 10,000 times!

The last time we had a total solar eclipse that was visible for us in North America was 1979. In just a few days, on August 21st, we will experience a full solar eclipse here again. This is a brief period when the moon is quite literally and energetically blocking the sun’s rays. This is similar to a massive power outage which is then followed by an amped up power surge as the sun’s rays come back into view. Even if you are not geographically where the full eclipse can be seen, you will still feel its effects. What you may notice just before the eclipse hits your area is that daylight will seem more like twilight and the air temperature will cool down. You may notice an eery feeling in the air as well. No wonder ancient cultures were terrified by this event.

During this time of energy in-flux, I decided to look to some of the Young Living essential oil blends that I have on hand that would help me feel more anchored and grounded. Diffusing or simply applying these topically has helped me feel better aligned and equipped to clear any energetic debris that I’ve been dragging around.

PRESENT TIME: Just as the name suggests, this blend is wonderfully anchoring. It creates clarity around where you are right now and where you want to be. Helping you to feel grounded in the present moment allows you to observe what you are willing and unwilling to change. That self-awareness is the initiator of inner growth.

PEACE AND CALMING: If this time period is causing an added layer of stress and anxiety, this blend will allow your nervous system to relax and your mind to quiet.

FORGIVENESS: Whenever we are experiencing periods of change, issues of judgment and resentment often come to the surface. This blend helps us heal the anger and hurt we harbor, allowing us to come to a place of forgiveness and remembering that we need to forgive ourselves as well as others.

RELEASE: If I had to pick an absolute favorite, this would be it. This blend allows you to let go of pent up emotions that we often are afraid of or don’t know how to express. I can actually feel the physical tension and tightness leave my body when I use this blend. It’s like a big, giant exhale.

SARA: This blend is particularly helpful if you have experienced any past trauma that has created energetic blocks in your system. These blocks typically translate to pain and illness in our body. SARA gently releases those past hurts allowing us to move forward to wholeness.

JOY: Simply put, this blend moves you into a greater sense of love and joy. Very helpful when you’re feeling anxious or just down in the dumps.

TRANSFORMATION: Super effective to use during times of transition. This blend helps us release old, negative beliefs and replace them with new, positive beliefs which empower us to make the changes we desire.

Knowing this upcoming solar eclipse gives us an opportunity for change and putting old chapters behind us, using your essential oils will help you clear out some of the emotions that may open up during this time. This cosmic event is a gift that allows us to move forward. I encourage you to try using some of the oils I mentioned or simply choose an oil that calls to you as we move through this period of amplified light and growth.

We’ve all had those moments often referred to as “senior moments”. You can’t remember the name of a once familiar face, you can’t remember where you put the car keys, you can’t remember if you closed the door on your way out of the house.

Our memory is made up of many different pieces which are stored in various parts of our brain. For example, when you close the door on your way out of the house, your brain registers the feeling of pushing on the door, the sound the door makes as it closes, the image of exactly where you were and what your next step was. When you are paying attention, even if only subliminally, these pieces of awareness help you remember that you closed the door. But when you are distracted, you may not be able to retrieve that memory. It is important to recognize the difference between absentmindedness and serious memory loss. Struggling to remember a word or name that is at the tip of your tongue or misplacing something is perfectly normal.

Nonetheless, as we age we are particularly sensitive to when we simply blank out. These senior moments can be scary, but the majority of the time they are just a result of the brain’s normal aging process. Unless these occasional memory lapses are interfering with your ability to function day to day, you can assume that this is nothing more than an annoyance. In fact, if you are aware of these little slips, that is actually a very good sign because this usually indicates that you are experiencing typical memory lapses that we all have.

So if it’s nothing serious, then what makes us forgetful and is there anything we can do about it? We live in a world of multitasking, which actually makes it more difficult to retain things because our attention is so divided. In addition, stress and fatigue reduce our ability to concentrate and pay attention to details. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the incidence of these forgetful moments:

Try to do one thing at a time

Be present, noticing the feel, taste or smell of what you are experiencing

Get plenty of sleep, at least 7 hours a night

Reduce mental clutter by using a calendar or making notes on your phone

There are also a number of memory enhancing essential oils to help boost your focus and recall. Inhaling or diffusing the following essential oils can have a profound effect on your memory.

Rosemary: This essential oil can help you remember things that are happening in your future, like remembering your schedule or important dates. In fact, in a series of tests at a University in England, rosemary essential oil increased the chances of remembering future to do items by 60-75 percent compared with people who had not been exposed to the oil.

Basil: Sweet and refreshing, this scent can help with fatigue-induced distraction; improving alertness and attentiveness. This is a great oil to diffuse when trying to complete a big project or study for a test.

Lemon: Research scientists in Japan conducted a study about the effect of lemon essential oil on the ability to focus. The research results showed that typical mistakes of office workers were reduced by 54 percent when lemon oil was diffused in the office space.

Lavender: Although traditionally used as a calming agent, this essential oil mitigates anxiety relating to work and school. This allows you to better concentrate and have better recall.

Vetiver: Like lavender, vetiver’s relaxing and calming properties helps combat diminished focus, absentmindedness and fidgetiness. Studies have shown that this essential oil not only enhances memory, but is also helpful in cases of ADHD and ADD.

As you diffuse or inhale essential oils, their ever so small volatile molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream through the nose. These compounds also stimulate the olfactory nerve in the nose directly, which has an effect on brain functioning. In addition to the essential oil singles, Young Living also makes a number of blends to support your brain like, Brainpower, En-R-Gee and Clarity.

If you are looking to banish your brain fog naturally, try adding essential oils to your daily regiment. Let their scent begin to trigger the changes in the brain that can lead to better brain power and better memory!

I’ve always believed in the saying “we are what we eat”. I knew that the quality of the food I was putting on my family table was of the utmost importance. For 30 plus years I’ve focused on nutritious, organic, non-processed foods … long before the Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s phenomena was even an option. But are we also what we inhale or what we put on our skin?

An internal nudge that I could no longer ignore prompted me to explore this further and look at the rest of my home environment, not just the food. Things like my household cleaners and personal care products. I realize that you don’t know what you don’t know, but for me it was more like I knew, but didn’t really want to know. What did I know? That all these products I was using in my home and on my body were filled with toxins that could have long term effects on my health. Why didn’t I really want to know? Because it meant change and let’s face it, I’m a little lazy.

Now you can certainly find thousands of articles and blog posts about all the nasty chemicals in our everyday products that disrupt hormones, create an over- reaction in our immune system, have an impact on our ability to control our weight and wreak havoc on all our body systems. I won’t be going into what all those different chemicals are, you can simply Google that to learn more about what you’re exposing yourself to each day. Simply put, the average person can be exposed to up to 300 chemicals daily just by cooking, cleaning, washing and drying their clothes, washing their hair, brushing their teeth, applying their makeup, deodorant, lotions, and the like. Unfortunately, beliefs held by consumers are that if products are in stores, all the chemicals used to make them must automatically be safe because regulators have vetted them and that is simply just not true. A good place to start learning about whether a particular product you’re using is hazardous to your health is to go the Environmental Working Group website at www.ewg.org. They have an extensive data base that can educate you on all the toxins lurking in various products.

Making changes like this can seem very daunting. But for me the reality was that I started to feel like a hypocrite. For years I was so interested in what I was putting in the mouths of my children, but didn’t consider what I was putting on them. I was all about holistic health, but didn’t think twice about what I was inhaling when I was cleaning my house or what my skin was absorbing when putting on my makeup. Luckily finding better alternatives ended up being way easier than I anticipated.

I realized that I had taken the first step towards this about 3 years back when I introduced essential oils into my home. Specifically, Young Living oils because of their high quality and purity. These small bottles of liquid gold are the key ingredient in what has become my DIY arsenal of home and personal care products. Little by little I began replacing things like store bought foaming hand soap with a homemade version using Thieves essential oil, unscented castile soap and distilled water. The more I searched, the more I found that there are so many ways to clean my home using natural alternatives like essential oils, vinegar and baking soda, that work way better than store bought cleaners. Knowing the scary facts about the personal care and beauty industry, I began to explore making my own deodorant, face serum, lotion, insect repellent and sunscreen. These homemade products are safe, effective and cheap.

You may be thinking that you’re way too busy to start making your own products, and sometimes I am too. That’s when you have to do your research and find non-toxic alternatives that you can purchase. I was lucky – I was already a Young Living member, getting 24% off all of my purchases, so I didn’t have to look far to discover all of the chemical free household and personal care products they offer in addition to their essential oils. Then just last month something magical happened … at least for me it was. To know me is to know that I love makeup. But I had not found a chemical free makeup line that was even remotely satisfactory. I had come to the conclusion that it was not possible to get toxin free makeup that applies well, gives good coverage and lasts all day. But here’s when the magic happened. Young Living announced a chemical free mineral makeup line in June. Admittedly, I was skeptical at first because I was never a fan of mineral makeup. Truly this makeup is awesome! I have ditched all my other makeup and use this exclusively. Now all they need to come out with is non-toxic hair color and nail polish … hint, hint Young Living.

Now you may not have the incentive to make all these changes, but every single change you do make will make a difference. Bottom line is, we shouldn’t have to sacrifice safety to gain ease. Are there still chemicals and toxins in my life? Of course there are. But over time I’m building a lifestyle that reduces the impact of these toxins by being more aware of where they are coming from and changing some simple daily habits. It’s easier than you think!

So yes it’s been a while since I’ve put up a post. Partly because I’ve spent the last few months in self-care mode and also because I find the subject of detoxifying fascinating and wanted to explore it more before posting. Recently I engaged in a 14 day cleanse with a wonderful health coach, which worked wonders for cleaning up my diet after overindulging during the winter months. You know what I mean – eating because it’s cold, eating because it gets dark early, eating because you don’t get enough outdoor activity – basically eating even if you’re not even hungry, as if it’s your last meal!

This ultimately led me to explore how to incorporate my essential oils into a detoxification plan. First I had to investigate all the sources of toxic exposure and then try to detect toxin accumulation. The first part was relatively easy, but the detection part, i.e. looking for signs and symptoms, took a bit of work. Mainly because there are two primary kinds of reactions to toxins: acute and cumulative. An acute reaction would be when you come in contact with a toxin, like getting a pesticide on your skin, and you’ll likely suffer an immediate effect, like a rash. A cumulative reaction can be a bit trickery to ascertain. For example when you’re exposed to low levels of a toxin over a long period of time, such as eating produce sprayed with pesticides, the side effects will likely take time to develop.

Now you would be correct in assuming that in a healthy body normal toxic exposure would be eliminated. After all your body was designed to expel toxins, right? But what’s normal? If we look at all of the pollutants in our air, our water, our food, our thoughts – basically our entire environment – it is not surprising that no matter how “healthy” you are, our bodies are no longer able to handle the load. Here is just a short list, and I emphasize the word short, of the regular sources of toxins we encounter on a daily basis:

Non-stick cookware

Food additives

Artificial sweeteners

Genetically modified food

Off-gassing from carpets, fabrics and furniture

Pesticide and herbicide residue on our food

Chemicals in our water (when you’re drinking it and bathing in it)

Vaccines

Computers and other electronics

Air pollution

Cleaning products

Cosmetic additives

Dental amalgams

Plastic

As you can see, this is stuff we are all exposed to ALL THE TIME. So what does toxic overload look like? It looks a lot like those unexplained symptoms many of us develop over time like anemia, hypertension, constipation, infertility, diabetes, anxiety, headaches, fatigue, digestive issues, muscle and joint pain, mood swings, learning problems, insomnia, memory loss, allergies, immune disorders, skin rashes and dermatitis. Okay so that sounds totally overwhelming and exhausting, but here’s what I’ve come to.

Detoxing is a lifestyle – not something we do once in a while. You can definitely make major headway through nutrition and making some of your own body care products and household cleaners. But you can also clear the gunk out of your system with the help of essential oils. Clearly your oils won’t counter the effects of a really bad diet, smoking, and slathering your body with chemicals, but they can be very effective when used in concert with a healthy diet and lifestyle.

There are a number ways to detox with essential oils, but first you need to understand that not all essential oil brands are created equal. You need to ensure that the brand you’re using is made from non-GMO pesticide-free plants and that the oils do not contain any synthetic additives. I’ve chosen Young Living as a brand I can trust. Here are some of the oils I’ve included in my “lifestyle detox” and the way in which I use them:

Lemon – I put a drop or two in every glass of water I drink (remember no drinking from plastic). Lemon detoxifies the blood and liver, stimulates white blood cells and is effective against viruses.

Grapefruit – When I’m not using lemon in my water I’m using grapefruit. Grapefruit is a diuretic and speeds up lymphatic circulation which allows detoxification to occur through the skin, urinary tract, liver, gall bladder and lymphatic system.

Digize – A Young Living blend which consists of Tarragon, Ginger, Peppermint, Juniper, Fennel, Lemongrass, Anise Seed and Patchouli. I will apply this topically to my belly to aid in digestion and elimination. I also know some people add a drop to their water along with Lemon and/or Peppermint.

Patchouli – A couple of drops directly on my face and neck which helps to detoxify the skin and strengthen the immune system, not to mention its wonderful stress relieving properties.

Juniper – A few drops over my bladder and kidneys. Juniper can help in eliminating toxins from fatty tissues, expel uric acid from the system and detoxify through the kidneys and urinary tract.

Ylang Ylang – I love to diffuse this one. It is extremely relaxing and detoxifies the nervous system.

Thieves – Also a Young Living blend consisting of Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus and Rosemary. A drop or two on the bottom of my feet every single night before bed for immune support. This blend is super high in antioxidants, in part due to the first ingredient, Clove. Clove essential oil is arguably the most potent antioxidant on the planet. If I’m feeling a bit under the weather, I’ll make a tea by putting a drop of Thieves in a cup of hot water along with a teaspoon of raw honey, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and two drops of lemon, which works like a charm for me.

Peppermint – I’ll put a drop or two on the bottom of my feet along with the Thieves and will often add a drop to my water. Peppermint helps to detoxify through the respiratory and digestive systems.

These are just a few of the essential oils I’m using to enhance my body’s natural detoxification process. And because essential oils work on many levels, as toxins are expelled from the body, we are better equipped to release negative thoughts and emotions as well. To me that’s a win win!

Do you feel like curling up under the covers and never coming out? Maybe you feel like you’ve lost your “get up n go”. Whatever you choose to call it; winter blues, winter depression, or seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, you may find yourself feeling some of the symptoms of this seasonal syndrome. Unless you happen to live in a tropical paradise, many of us feel a sense of sadness, loss and lethargy as the days grow shorter, the weather gets colder and we spend more time indoors.

The cause of seasonal affective disorder is actually unknown, but most researchers believe it is related to low serotonin levels, overproduction of melatonin and low levels of vitamin D as a result of reduced daily sunlight. Hallmark symptoms of SAD are the desire to sleep too much yet still feel tired, overeating and weight gain, struggling to focus, feelings of emptiness and general irritability.

It seems our brain and body are naturally programmed to follow the path of the sun, but when the winter darkness sets in, many of us get no sunlight at all since we spend a good part of the sunlit day indoors at work or simply indoors because it’s too cold outside. This influences our hormones, which in turn disrupts our circadian rhythm causing us to go to sleep later than we should, crave more carbs and withdraw socially. And guess what? Women are much more likely to be affected by this than men – lucky us.

Enter essential oils. Here’s how they can assist in relieving the winter doldrums. When inhaled, they head straight for the limbic system, which is also related to our endocrine system that allows for balanced production and release of our hormones. The tiny molecules of essential oils pass through the blood brain barrier and stimulate the hypothalamus. Our hypothalamus is the link between our endocrine system and our nervous system. It is here that our hunger, thirst, response to pleasure, pain and stress are regulated. Clearly this would have a tremendous influence on our mood.

So let’s go back to the idea of too much melatonin for a moment. Melatonin is a sleep related hormone produced by our pineal gland in low light and darkness. Not enough sunlight – too much melatonin – which makes us want to sleep and keep sleeping and not necessarily a good sleep either. This makes us irritable, anxious and we have difficulty concentrating when we’re awake. Essential oils you can use to awaken your system are Peppermint, Lemon, Basil, Rosemary and Cypress to name a few. If fitful sleep patterns are making you feel anxious and irritable you can try Chamomile, Lavender, Clary Sage and Rose. To help with overeating and over indulgence try Bergamot and Juniper. To make you feel more connected and social, Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg and Ginger would be good choices. To promote a positive attitude, go for Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Jasmine, Orange and Ylang Ylang.

So rather than wait until spring to snap out of this, wouldn’t it be better to be able to enjoy winter to the fullest? Massage, inhalation and diffusion of these essential oils will not only uplift your spirits, but also boost your immune system, regulate your hormones, and create an overall sense of well- being. Just because the weather is gloomy, doesn’t mean you have to be.

You stole my heart first. You know what they say about first loves…the memory never fades away. It happened four years ago at a yoga studio…my first encounter with Peace & Calming, a Young Living Essential Oil blend.

This was literally my very first introduction to Young Living Essential Oils. It is a blend composed of Tangerine, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, and Blue Tansy. And what a divine blend it is. Little did I know then, that this oil would not always be available due to a shortage of Blue Tansy. Blue Tansy Essential Oil is produced from a seasonal crop that requires optimal conditions, and therefore available quantities can be limited. As much as it saddens me that I cannot order a bottle whenever I want, I can wholly respect the fact the Young Living doesn’t tweak or dilute its formula just to sell more oil. Ultimately this is one of the primary reasons why I decided to use Young Living oils exclusively.

The good news is that Peace & Calming has returned, even if only for a limited engagement. I’ll be sure to hoard, ahem, I mean purchase as much as I can while it is available. Young Living will most likely limit that to one bottle per month per customer to insure that we all have an equal opportunity to acquire. Once they run out we will have to wait for the next harvest and hope that next year’s Blue Tansy crop is not compromised by adverse weather conditions.

What is it about this blend that is so great? This is a very soothing blend which is both uplifting and relaxing. It can be used it to calm overactive children by applying to the bottom of the feet and/or the back of the neck. It also promotes restful sleep, can arrest an allergic reaction, is excellent for the skin, calms the nerves, is helpful with restless leg syndrome, can alleviate teeth grinding and can even be used on pets to calm them down, especially during storms.

The scent is very concentrated, sweet and citrusy. A little goes a long way, thank goodness, so I can make it last a long time. The Blue Tansy essential oil actually gives Peace & Calming a blue hue and has incredible clearing and calming properties. This oil can be used neat, meaning undiluted. Since we all have unique body chemistry, an oil that works best for me may not be the best oil for you, especially when it comes to relaxation and sleep. But this oil is definitely worth trying, and see if it gives you the results you’re looking for. Also where you apply the oil can make a difference as well, so learn to follow your intuition, you’ll be surprised how on point it is. For me Peace & Calming works like a charm to help my over active brain shut down. A drop on the bottom of the big toes and on the back of my neck is all I need for a restful night’s sleep.

So if you’re looking to promote peaceful sleep, calm anxiety or you simply feel the need to let go, Peace & Calming may be just the oil you’re craving.

So if you just careened through the holiday season, abandoning all restraint, telling yourself that you’ll reset in the New Year – you know those New Year’s resolutions that you set on January 1st – well maybe they work for you, but I can tell you they have never ever worked for me. I’m thinking I’m not alone here.

Anyone that goes to the gym in the first week of January knows all too well that you’ll be joining the hordes of well-intentioned resolution-ers. By mid-February many of us are not so enthusiastic. So why is it that, in spite of our good intentions, improving our lives seems so elusive?

No matter what the goal is, here’s where I think the issue is. We often start working from the outside in rather than the inside out. Change has to come internally first, in your mind, before you can make sustainable changes on the outside. There is a Russian proverb that illustrates this: “It is not the horse that draws the cart, but the oats.” If you want your goals to materialize, first you must change your mind.

Much of this changing your mind, or finding your motivation, comes from self-discipline. Like building a muscle, you build self-discipline, and yes in the process you have to deal with the discomfort and face the challenges that come with that. So here are some tips to keep you moving forward:

Visualize what you want. I know this sounds simple but visualization, even creating a vision board, is very effective in keeping us on track by reinforcing our goals and reminding us to take action.

“Don’t bite off more than you can chew or you may choke” as the saying goes. Start with one step at a time, and be willing to revisit and revise along the way. Modifications can be good as long as they support what you are setting out to do.

Learn to focus. We live in a world of chronic multi-tasking, but you need to train yourself to prioritize. Spreading yourself too thin is not sustainable in the long run so allocate time where you can concentrate on making progress with what is most important to you.

Understand why you are pursuing what you are pursuing. If you truly understand why you want something, you’ll be able to push through the obstacles rather than giving up half way through because you were never really serious in the first place.

Make yourself accountable by finding someone; a family member, friend, mentor, coach, teacher, whoever you feel can be your accountability buddy. When you share your commitment with someone else, you are way more likely to do it.

By now you may be wondering what this post has to do with essential oils. For me implementing certain essential oils into my daily routine is a great tool to help me stay motivated. Why do they work in this way? It comes down to the limbic system of the brain where a gland called the amygdala is located. This gland plays a major role in the storing and releasing of emotions and the only way to stimulate this gland is with the sense of smell. Essential oils carry tiny aromatic molecules that not only have a significant oxygenating effect on the brain, but can also facilitate the release of emotional blockages. New scientific evidence shows that inhaling essential oils may be one of the fastest ways to create physiological or psychological benefits. Here are just a few, and truly there are many more, of my favorites oils to diffuse or apply topically when I’m feeling I need a little help to stay on track.

Motivation (yes there is a Young Living blend called that). This blend of Spruce, Lavender, Roman Chamomile and Ylang Ylang helps to overcome fear and procrastination. Use this when you’re feeling stuck.

Peppermint. Just a whiff and it peps you up, no pun intended. Use when you’re lacking energy.

Oola Balance. This is a Young Living blend of 24 different oils (too many to list here but you can look it up) to promote centering and grounding. Use this when you are looking to achieve focus.

Magnify Your Purpose. Another Young Living blend that contains Royal Hawaiian Sandalwood, Nutmeg, Ginger, Patchouli, Sage, Cinnamon Bark, Coriander, Bergamot, Ylang Ylang and Geranium. Use this to foster positive emotions and promote perseverance.

Whatever your goals, here’s to wishing you a purposeful, successful and resolution-less New Year!

More than just symbols of this holiday season, Frankincense and Myrrh’s value extends far beyond biblical tradition. Though many of us associate Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh with the story of the Three Wise Men and their gifts given at Jesus’s birth, their use was most likely not only symbolic, but practical as well. While you may think of Gold as the most precious gift of the three, in truth, the importance of Frankincense and Myrrh far outweighs that of Gold from the perspective of healing.

Both Frankincense and Myrrh are gum resins that are extracted from shrub-like trees which grow in dry climates across parts of Asia and Africa, including India, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia and Somalia. Since they are closely related, their healing characteristics are somewhat similar, with a few notable differences.

Frankincense resin is white in color and comes from the Boswellia tree species. It is from this resin, which is basically hardened sap, that the essential oil is steam distilled. Frankincense essential oil has been used to treat every conceivable ill known to man and offers benefits to all of the body systems. It can boost your immune system, has antiseptic and disinfectant properties, helps the body to absorb nutrients, can act as a coagulant to stop bleeding, promotes relaxation, reduces blood pressure, relieves indigestion, fades wrinkles, scars and acne and aids in a variety of menstruation related issues. Plus there is now emerging research showing that Frankincense may halt cancer cell growth. Its scent is sweet and earthy, and many find that diffusing Frankincense enhances meditation.

Myrrh is a red-hued resin that comes from various species of the Commiphora tree, and like Frankincense, the essential oil is also steam distilled from the resin. But its similarities to Frankincense are many, including its sedative properties and its benefits for use during meditation. Like Frankincense, Myrrh also aids in digestion, can help fade scars, can strengthen the immune system, regulates menses and can be applied topically to disinfect wounds. It also helps to ease respiratory issues, act as a decongestant, strengthens the gums, prevents hair loss, soothes chapped skin and contains anti-cancer properties. Myrrh’s aroma is also warm, earthy, spicy and balsam like and the oil is somewhat thick and sticky.

Both Frankincense and Myrrh increase the potency of other oils. Using them together creates a synergy which enhances the curative powers of both. So much more than simply symbols of this holiday season, the essential oil of these plants can heal on the spiritual level as well. Frankincense helps one to let go of negativity and spiritual darkness. It helps us feel connected, nurtured and protected. Myrrh promotes feelings of safety, security and trust and helps us to release fears and difficult experiences.

I like to think that these gifts offered to the Christ Child had a very practical purpose and carried great spiritual significance at the same time. Today still, they certainly would continue to be a wise gift choice.

An article I recently read spoke of the difference between being thankful and giving thanks. It may seem like it’s the same thing, but really it is totally different. Let me explain.

Being thankful, although still a good thing, is a rather passive activity. We can be thankful for having a nice home, a good job, a happy family, etc., but really what we are expressing is that we are happy to have these things or be in a particular situation. A good part of the time, we give ourselves the credit for most of the good things we have. How much better would it be to think of the many people throughout our lives who have helped us along the way?

To me giving thanks is active, rather than passive, and is much better than simply being thankful. It is a blessing for the giver and the receiver. So you could say that the true virtue in thankfulness comes when it is expressed. You’re probably wondering what this has to do with essential oils, right? The relevance here is not specifically to the oils themselves but to the people that have the same appreciation for the oils that I do. Now, I could simply say that I am thankful for the health and abundance that has come my way since introducing essential oils into my daily life. But instead I would rather thank the many who have helped, influenced, supported and guided me along the way.

First and foremost, thank you to my wonderful husband for supporting me, not only in this journey of mine, but in every other nook and cranny of my life. Thank you to my remarkable children for always being receptive, accepting and willing to join me, even when they’re not altogether sure what direction I’m heading in. Thank you to all of my incredible family and friends that have so enthusiastically jumped onto this oily adventure with me. Thank you to my amazing upline for providing so much education and always being available to answer my questions. Thank you to my awesome downline for embracing these oils so passionately and for allowing me the opportunity to mentor you. Thank you to all my “Oil Sistas”, the ones I know personally and the ones I know virtually, for sharing your heartfelt stories and advice that benefit so many. Each of you have touched my life in your own special way. Have a blessed Thanksgiving!